In the previous chapter, Boruto and Hanabi faced each other in an intense battle where both demonstrated great skill and speed. Boruto, with irregular yet graceful movements, managed to put Hanabi under pressure, forcing her to use the "Eight Trigrams Celestial Rotation" technique. Although Boruto tried to dodge it, he was hit and sent flying. However, using his wits, Boruto created clones that cushioned his fall and prepared for a new attack. In the fierce exchange that followed, Boruto threw kunais and shurikens with precision, while Hanabi, with her experience as a Jōnin , countered each of his movements with ease. In a final attempt to surprise her, Boruto descended from the sky with two Rasengan in hand, but Hanabi, demonstrating her superiority, responded with her defensive technique, creating an explosion that shook the entire place.
When the dust finally cleared, Boruto lay on the ground, incapacitated by Hanabi's precise strikes to his chakra points. Hanabi emerged victorious, a look of respect and pride on her face. She acknowledged Boruto's effort, but reminded him that he still had a long way to go to defeat her, as she was a Jōnin . The spectators, impressed by the battle, praised Boruto for his tenacity and skills, highlighting the progress he had shown in such a short amount of time.
Hanabi, regaining her composure, walked over to Boruto and helped him up, gently leaning him against the fence of the house. As everyone praised him for his effort, she patted him on the shoulder, showing her pride in what he had accomplished. After the praise, Hiashi decided to take Boruto inside the house so he could rest, as his chakra points were blocked.
Naruto watched as his son was carried into a room to lie down, and as he watched, he couldn't help but wonder when he had learned so much and how he had mastered the Rasengan. Though he saved his questions for later, he commented, "In the end, he failed to awaken the Byakugan." Naruto sat on the fence next to Himawari, stroking her hair tenderly.
"Well, it's not that I can't," Hanabi replied with a smile, "I'm sure he'll wake up in the future. But what surprised me the most was how strong he is. His fighting style was able to intercept my blows, and his strength and speed are astonishing. He had everything calculated, but that punch he gave me in the stomach... it still hurts. I'll have to scold him later for hitting his cute aunt like that."
Naruto laughed in amusement, while Himawari, with admiration in her eyes, added, "Boruto-niichan is very strong! I want to be strong too." Naruto and Hanabi looked at her in surprise and tenderness, and Hanabi stroked her hair lovingly, assuring her, "You're sure to be."
Meanwhile, Hiashi was carrying Boruto on his back to a traditional Japanese room inside the house. "Boruto, you're very strong," Hiashi said, his tone approving. "Being able to hold your own against a Jōnin is something amazing."
"Grandpa, don't you see how he left me? I'd say I just held on," Boruto replied with a laugh, "Besides, I can't move now."
Hiashi laughed along with him, "I watched the fight very closely. You're very strong. I don't think there's anyone in your generation who's a match for you." After walking a bit further, they came to a room with a traditional Japanese style. Hiashi opened the sliding door, and as they walked in, he continued, "Wait a moment here."
Hiashi laid Boruto down against the wall of the room, then pulled a futon out of a closet and placed it in the center of the room. Carefully, he laid Boruto down on the futon and, with quick, precise movements, unlocked Boruto's chakra points, allowing him to move again.
"Well, I'm done," Hiashi said with a smile. "Don't move yet. Wait a little longer, and when you've recovered some chakra, come out. We'll be waiting for you for dinner." With those words, Hiashi stood up and left the room, closing the sliding door behind him.
Boruto stared at the ceiling, pondering the fight. This is my level... I could only use 30% of my power, but it was fun , he thought with a satisfied smile. The original body must be on another level. At the very least, I'm at low Chūnin rank , but the original body must be at mid or high Jōnin level . The lack of experience is too high , he continued, as he raised his hand in front of him. I'm still far from reaching a sufficient level , he concluded, before closing his eyes and deciding to get some sleep to recover chakra.
A few minutes later, Hiashi made his way to where Naruto was chatting with his daughter and granddaughter. Their voices echoed softly in the evening air, talking about various things as the cool breeze from outside caressed their faces.
"Hanabi, go prepare dinner," Hiashi said kindly and with a tone of gentle authority.
Hanabi nodded in confirmation, not saying a word. As she stood up, she turned to Himawari and asked with a smile, "Would you like to join me, Himawari, in making lunch? We're going to prepare something your brother will never forget."
Himawari nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with excitement at being able to help her aunt. She quickly stood up and took Hanabi's hand, walking with her towards the kitchen.
Naruto and Hiashi were left alone, the atmosphere turning a little more serious as they began to talk about what they had witnessed in combat.
"Did you teach him any of the techniques he used in battle?" Hiashi asked, his tone calm, but with a note of curiosity that he couldn't hide.
Naruto shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Boruto had fought. "Only the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. I was surprised that he could do the Rasengan. I didn't teach him that technique, and I wonder where he learned it from. His fighting style was incredible, a style that seemed made to dominate his opponent, almost unpredictable. It reminded me of the Uchiha style, but he doesn't have the Sharingan. It's different... like he's fused several fighting styles together. I never thought he was that strong; I always thought he just spent his time playing or studying in his room."
Hiashi thoughtfully reflected on Naruto's words. " Always studying in his room ," he thought in wonder, as that didn't seem consistent with what he had seen in combat. Then, after a few seconds, he replied, "Is that what surprises you, Naruto? What surprises me is that he didn't show all of his abilities. He was hiding something, as if he couldn't unleash his full power. At times, he made mistakes, but it was as if his body couldn't keep up with his mind. That's what I saw with my Byakugan."
Naruto frowned, clearly shocked by what he had just heard. "We'll have to ask him where he got those techniques when he wakes up," he said, though his tone revealed a mix of unease and determination.
Hiashi looked at him seriously, a slight smile on his lips. "If you want to try, go ahead, but you'll get a NO as an answer. Even though it may not seem like it, Boruto is very intelligent, and if he feels he needs to keep something a secret, he will. However, if you ask where he learned the Rasengan from, he might answer you truthfully."
Naruto nodded, processing his father-in-law's words. He then slowly stood up from where he was sitting and made his way into the house. "We should also ask Hanabi what she saw in the fight that we couldn't notice. Let's go talk to her before Boruto wakes up. I'm curious to know what else Boruto is capable of. With Hanabi's words, perhaps we can find out more."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the kitchen, where Hanabi and Himawari were busy preparing dinner. From the doorway, Naruto and Hiashi could hear the soft laughter and conversation between aunt and niece, while the smell of food began to fill the air.
"Boruto-niichan is going to love this," Himawari said with a satisfied smile as she carefully chopped vegetables.
"Sure thing," Hanabi replied, looking at Himawari proudly. "Let's make this dinner unforgettable."
Naruto cleared his throat softly, catching Hanabi's attention. She looked up, surprised to see Naruto and Hiashi standing in the kitchen doorway. "What's wrong? Everything okay?" she asked, stopping what she was doing.
"Hanabi," Naruto began, his voice serious but not devoid of affection, "We wanted to ask you about the fight with Boruto. There are a few things that Hiashi and I noticed, but we think that you, who were there on the front lines, might have noticed more details."
Hanabi set the knife down on the table, her expression turning thoughtful as she looked at Naruto and then at Hiashi. "What exactly do you mean?" she asked, a slight suspicion in her tone, as if she already sensed where the conversation was going.
"Hiashi mentioned that it seemed like Boruto wasn't showing his full potential," Naruto said, choosing his words carefully. "I mean, did you see anything else during the fight that we couldn't pick up on? Something that might give us an idea of what's really going on with Boruto."
Hanabi crossed her arms, thoughtful. "It's true that Boruto was hiding something. During the fight, I noticed that at certain moments his fighting style changed abruptly, as if he were adapting on the fly. But the strangest thing is that, although he made mistakes, they didn't seem to be due to a lack of skill, but rather as if he was... experimenting with his limits. As if he himself didn't know how far he could go."
Naruto and Hiashi exchanged a worried look. "Do you think there's anything else we should know about his abilities?" Hiashi asked.
Hanabi sighed, lowering her voice as if what she was about to tell was an important secret. "I'm not sure, but I felt like Boruto was testing something. Not just me, but himself. Like he wanted to see how far he could go without revealing his full power. It's like he was preparing for something bigger."
Naruto, feeling a chill down his spine, nodded slowly. "Then, we'll have to keep an eye on him. I don't want to pressure him, but we need to understand what's going on with him. Not just as his family, but so we can help him if needed."
"Alright," Hanabi replied, her gaze determined. "We'll talk to him when he's ready. But for now, let's let him rest and recover. Whatever he's going through, Boruto isn't alone."
Himawari, who had been listening silently, looked at her father and aunt with a mix of worry and curiosity. "Dad, is Boruto-niichan going to be okay?"
Naruto crouched down to Himawari's level, stroking her hair tenderly. "Of course, Himawari. Boruto is strong, and no matter what happens, we'll always be here to support him."
Hanabi walked over and gently hugged Himawari. "Your brother is an exceptional ninja, Himawari. And so will you. Together, you can overcome anything."
The atmosphere in the kitchen was filled with a feeling of togetherness and determination as they continued to prepare dinner, knowing that although Boruto's future was uncertain, he would not be alone in his path or so it was thought.
__ A few hours later, Boruto woke up from his sleep, slowly opening his eyes as his body ached. He looked around, realizing that it was already nighttime. With effort, he got up from the futon and walked to the sliding door, opening it to head towards the main room. As he walked forward, his footsteps echoed softly on the wooden floor of the Japanese-style hallway, where on one side were the bedrooms and on the other the courtyard, dimly lit by the light of the full moon.
Arriving at the main room, he saw a warm light and heard voices murmuring. He stopped in front of the door, knocking gently before asking:
—May I come in?
The voices fell silent for a moment until one voice, Hanabi's, answered:
—You can come in.
Inside the room, there were his father Naruto, his sister Himawari, his grandfather Hiashi, and his aunt Hanabi. The dim light from the paper lanterns filled the space, creating a cozy atmosphere. Hanabi called out to him with a smile:
—Boruto, we were waiting for you. Sit here, next to me —he said, gently patting the cushion beside him.
Himawari stood up excitedly and ran to greet her brother, examining him with a mix of concern and relief.
—Boruto-niichan, how are you? Are you okay? —Himawari asked with big, curious eyes.
"I'm fine, Himawari," Boruto replied, returning his younger sister's smile.
"Let's eat, Boruto-niichan," she insisted, pulling him by the hand to take him to her place.
Naruto watched him carefully, and asked:
-How do you feel?
"I'm fine, I just need chakra," Boruto replied, as he sat next to Hanabi.
"This meal was made by your sister with me. I hope you like it, and maybe it tastes a little better than what my sister Hinata makes," Hanabi joked with amusement, offering him a bite with her chopsticks.
"Let's try it first," Boruto said, accepting the food and tasting a bit more of the dish. He smiled and said, "It's just as delicious as Mom's cooking."
Himawari and Hanabi were delighted by the compliment, smiling in satisfaction.
After dinner, where Boruto joked and played around with Himawari and Hanabi, the night had already progressed. Boruto was sitting in the hallway of the house, staring at the full moon shining in the sky. The soft sound of the wind moving the leaves in the yard gave a peaceful air to the moment.
Hanabi walked over and sat down next to him, leaning slightly against the wall.
"What are you thinking about, Boruto?" he asked in a soft tone, noticing his nephew's thoughtful look.
Boruto was a little surprised, he hadn't sensed his aunt's presence. He glanced at her quickly, before relaxing.
—Aunt, what are you doing here?
"That's my question," Hanabi said with a smile. "What are you doing here? Why aren't you sleeping?"
—Well, after sleeping during the day, I can't sleep at night... I can't get sleepy, so I was looking at the moon. It seems bigger today —Boruto replied, while continuing to observe the sky.
Hanabi nodded and then lovingly brought her forehead closer to Boruto's, closing their eyes for a moment before parting ways.
"Yeah, she looks beautiful tonight," he commented, before continuing. "Speaking of amazing things, Boruto, where did you learn how to use the Rasengan?" he asked curiously, remembering the powerful attack Boruto had executed during the fight.
Boruto smiled somewhat mischievously and replied:
—I learned it from one of the scrolls in Dad's office. I found it while I was looking through some paperwork. I thought it was interesting, so I tried it until I got it right.
Hanabi looked at him with a mix of surprise and admiration.
—I expected nothing less from you... but be careful, Boruto. Learning techniques like that is dangerous if you don't fully master them —Hanabi said, showing her concern.
In the quiet of the night within the Hyūga household, Naruto sat on the floor to the left of the room, watching as his father-in-law, Hiashi Hyūga, retrieved a small bottle of sake from the low cabinet known as a tansu . The room was dimly lit by the faint light of a candle, which cast dancing shadows on the paper walls. The atmosphere was quiet and serene, with the gentle sound of the wind blowing through the hallway outside.
Hiashi, with careful and precise movements, poured the drink into two small ceramic cups, one for himself and one for Naruto. As he did so, his face showed a mixture of concern and thought. He sat down in front of Naruto, offering him one of the cups.
—Naruto, tell me, has Himawari's Byakugan manifested again? —Hiashi asked in a calm voice, but full of fatherly interest.
Naruto took the cup in both hands, thanking her for the gesture. His gaze briefly shifted to the courtyard outside, where the moonlight bathed the garden in a silvery glow.
"No, he hasn't reappeared yet," Naruto replied, taking a sip of the sake. The warm, smooth taste gave him a brief sense of relief.
Hiashi nodded slowly, thinking through the implications of what he had just heard. The awakening of the Byakugan in Himawari had been a moment of great pride for the Hyūga clan, but its sporadic nature was a cause for concern. Hiashi, with the wisdom of his years, knew that these types of situations required patience.
—Himawari is still young. She may need time to learn to control that ability… but when she does, I'm sure she'll be a prodigy in our clan —Hiashi said, trying to comfort Naruto, who knew that his father-in-law didn't give compliments lightly.
Naruto nodded, thanking Hiashi for his words. He knew his daughter had enormous potential, but he was also aware of the challenges that came with it.
At that moment, the serene atmosphere was interrupted by a vibration in the air, followed by a barely audible whisper in Naruto's mind. It was an urgent message, transmitted through Ino Yamanaka's ability, coming from Shikamaru. The information about Ghost was disturbing and demanded his immediate attention.
Naruto quickly stood up, leaving the sake cup aside, and apologized to Hiashi.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. It's something urgent," Naruto said, his face serious and determined as he headed towards the exit.
Hiashi watched him silently, understanding the gravity of the situation. He nodded in farewell, knowing that Naruto, as Hokage, had responsibilities that could not wait.
As Naruto left the house, he crossed the hallway outside, and both Boruto and Hanabi, who were standing on the fence near the courtyard, saw him pass quickly. Boruto, always observant, felt a growing curiosity and looked at Hanabi for some explanation.
Hanabi looked back at him with a serene smile.
— In another room of the Hyuga house, Naruto sat on the floor to the left, his attention divided between his conversation with Hiashi and the peaceful atmosphere around them. The room, decorated in traditional Japanese style, was lit only by the dim light of a candle that cast soft shadows on the paper walls. Hiashi, always imposing, was taking out a bottle of sake from the tansu , the low cabinet that stored the family's most precious objects.
—Naruto, tell me, has Himawari's Byakugan manifested again? —Hiashi asked, while pouring the drink into two small ceramic cups.
Naruto, taking the cup in both hands, sighed before answering. His eyes turned to the garden, where the light of the full moon bathed the courtyard in a silver glow.
"No, he hasn't reappeared yet," Naruto replied, taking a sip of the sake. The warm liquid brought a moment of comfort, though worries still lingered in his mind.
Hiashi nodded, his face a mixture of concern and resignation. He knew that the awakening of the Byakugan in Himawari was something significant, but its sporadic manifestation was still a cause for concern.
—Himawari is still young. She may need time to learn to control that ability… but when she does, I'm sure she'll be a prodigy in our clan —Hiashi said, his voice firm and wise, trying to reassure Naruto.
Naruto nodded, appreciating his father-in-law's words. He knew Himawari's future was bright, but he also understood that patience would be key.
At that very moment, an urgent message flashed through Naruto's mind, sent by Ino Yamanaka's special ability. Shikamaru was informing him of a matter regarding Ghost that required his immediate attention. Wasting no time, Naruto quickly stood up, setting the cup aside.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go. It's something urgent," Naruto said, with a serious tone, as he hurriedly left the room.
Hiashi watched him silently, understanding the gravity of the matter. He nodded in farewell, aware of the responsibilities that weighed on Naruto's shoulders.
Crossing the outer hallway, Naruto was spotted by Boruto and Hanabi, who were sitting on the fence near the courtyard. His father's haste piqued Boruto's curiosity, and he looked at Hanabi for an explanation.
"Your father has many responsibilities, Boruto. But you are growing up fast too," Hanabi told him with a soft, serene smile. "You will soon understand many things. The life of a ninja is not always easy, but I am sure that, with time, you will understand why your father does what he does. As you mature, you will see that responsibilities come with a price, but also with rewards. You must be ready for when your time comes to make difficult decisions, decisions that could affect not only your life, but the lives of those around you."
Boruto nodded silently, turning his gaze towards the full moon that dominated the night sky. The image of his father walking away was etched in his mind, mingling with Hanabi's words. There was something about all of this that ignited a spark of determination within him, though he still couldn't fully understand what was driving it.
Unbeknownst to them, from the same side where Naruto had left, Hiashi appeared, a serious expression on his face. He approached Boruto and Hanabi, but instead of sitting next to them, he stood at the edge of the courtyard, looking up at the night sky. The moonlight bathed the courtyard in its glow, casting soft shadows across the well-kept garden.
"Why do you like to look at the moon, Boruto?" Hiashi asked, without turning to look at them, his gaze fixed on the sky.
Boruto looked at him seriously, almost with a caution he didn't usually show, while Hiashi kept his attention on the moon. Hanabi, surprised by Boruto's reaction, noticed a small but palpable killing intent emanating from him, something she had never felt before from her nephew.
"Why do you like the moon?" Hiashi repeated, slowly turning towards Boruto, his eyes locking with the young ninja's.
The tension in the air was palpable. Hanabi couldn't say anything; the seriousness on her face reflected the gravity of the moment. In Boruto's mind, doubts and confused thoughts arose.
"Does this old man know anything...? Impossible... I'll answer first."
—Well, it's not that I particularly like it, but someone told me that my eyes resembled the moon in a starry sky —Boruto answered in a firm voice, without losing sight of Hiashi.
Hiashi watched Boruto in silence for a moment, evaluating every word.
"I see... That's the answer you didn't give me back then," Hiashi finally said, his tone suggesting deeper knowledge.
Hanabi looked at her father and Boruto, not fully understanding what was happening, but the uneasiness in her heart grew. In Boruto's mind, confusion increased.
"Shit! I screwed up... That wasn't the answer... I don't remember when he asked it, but the original me should know that."
"Who are you, Boruto?" Hiashi asked, activating his Byakugan, his pupils dilating as he stared intently at his grandson.
Boruto was surprised, and Hanabi was also stunned by her father's unexpected question to her nephew.
"Grandpa, that question offends me..." Boruto replied with a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck.
Hanabi, still in disbelief, quickly stood up and looked at Boruto, activating her Byakugan to confirm what she was seeing.
—Eee ... aunt, it's me, Boruto —Boruto said, with a nervous smile.
"You can't hide it... Who are you?" Hiashi insisted, his voice sharp as a sword.
In Boruto's mind, the decision was clear: he could no longer hide the truth.
"It seems I can't pretend anymore. I made a mistake. This old man is more cunning than I thought."
Out of his mind, Boruto's nervous expression suddenly disappeared. His face became expressionless, and his eyes, once full of life, now only showed a faint emotion as he spoke.
—When did you realize, old man?
"Old man...?" Hanabi exclaimed, surprised by Boruto's tone and words.
—It was when your chakra changed, although it seems to be increasing now, while the original is fading away. —Hiashi spoke with the calm of someone who has lived through too many battles, his gaze fixed on Boruto.
Boruto slowly stood up and began walking towards a tree in the courtyard, where the moonlight barely reached him. He stopped by the pond, his gaze lost in the calm waters.
—But that's not enough for you to realize... Although I already have an idea of how you confirmed it —Boruto said, his tone now more enigmatic.
Hanabi, in disbelief, approached her father with concern.
—What's going on, father? Isn't this Boruto? Is this a transformation jutsu or something worse? —Hanabi asked, afraid of what might have happened to her nephew.
—Don't worry, Hanabi. This Boruto is Boruto, but he's not the original Boruto... —Hiashi replied, keeping his Byakugan activated as he spoke.
Hanabi was more surprised, but felt a slight relief knowing that Boruto was not in danger.
—And answering your question, the original Boruto told me something in the past about that question I asked him... —Hiashi added, with a calm that only clan leaders could maintain in situations like this.
"And what did he say to you?" Boruto asked, his voice returning to calm, as if he was willing to listen.
Hiashi recalled a moment from the past, a scene that played out in his mind. A young Boruto, barely five years old, was sitting in the hallway of the Hyūga house, staring at the moon. Hiashi had approached him with a question in mind.
"Hello, Boruto, how are you?" Hiashi had said to him back then.
Boruto, without even looking at him, responded with disinterest.
"What do you want, old man?" Boruto said, turning his attention back to the moon.
Hiashi was surprised by the coldness of her response, but continued.
—I just wanted to ask you a question... Do you like the moon? —Hiashi asked.
Boruto, without turning to look at him, responded indifferently.
—I'll never tell you... Now go away, old man, don't get in the way. Be nice to my sister, not to me. I know what you're planning, but I won't tell you.
Boruto stood up and began walking down the hall, turning around as he looked at him with an expression Hiashi would never forget. His eyes, filled with a mischief unexpected for a child, reflected a deep understanding.
"You're like a blank sheet of paper, easy to read," Boruto told him with a mischievous smile before disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.
Hiashi, back in the present, shook his head slightly to clear those thoughts.
"That's what he told me..." Hiashi concluded, looking at Boruto with a mix of understanding and slight concern.
—Hahaha! I see, that original Boruto is amazing, he was even able to see through you —Boruto said, laughing as he finished speaking—. But what are you looking for, old man, by telling me this?
Hanabi was speechless at what her father was saying about Boruto. She couldn't believe what he was saying. Hiashi spoke firmly:
"I just want to see the original, the real you," he said as he stood in the center of the courtyard. "We'll wait as long as necessary until he comes. I just want to see him."
Boruto, who was under the shade of the tree, watched Hiashi and Hanabi. She, without saying anything else, stood behind her father, with the Byakugan activated.
"What do you want it for? Are you going to change it with a few words or something?" Boruto asked with a mix of skepticism and mockery.
"I just want to see my grandson," Hiashi replied in a voice that left no room for doubt.
Boruto frowned, a slight tone of anger seeping into his voice.
—Aren't you seeing it? Isn't that enough?
Hanabi, unable to contain herself, intervened:
"Why are you lying to us?" he asked, his gaze fixed on Boruto.
Boruto let out a laugh, but his eyes showed a glint of uncertainty.
—Lie? I think you're mistaken —he replied, looking at his aunt.
—Yes, you are lying to us, hiding somewhere else and showing us something that isn't real. That's not lying, but hiding the truth —Hanabi said firmly, her Byakugan still activated.
Boruto sighed, acknowledging that he couldn't keep hiding any longer.
—I see, I can't fight you. You want answers to your questions, but only the original can answer them —he said with a cold smile.
Hanabi, not fully understanding the situation, asked:
—Does this amuse you?
"Yes, it is," Boruto replied, his smile becoming even more sinister. "After all, I see you guys are very worried, not knowing what you're up against. It's funny, but don't worry, I'm not the bad guy here. The bad guy is coming," he said, removing his smile immediately.
With a quick movement, Boruto made a seal with his right hand and pulled out a three-pronged kunai. Hiashi took a step back in surprise, his eyes widening in disbelief. He knew what that kunai meant; after all, he was a classmate and close friend of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Hanabi looked at the kunai strangely, trying to remember where she had seen it before. When she saw her father take a step back and look surprised, she knew that this kunai was not normal.
Boruto watched their reactions and commented mockingly:
"You know him, old man?" he said, looking at the kunai he held in his hand. "After all, it's part of a friend of yours. I'm going to call the original, I don't have much time or chakra left to hold out any longer. I'll send all my remaining chakra into the kunai and disappear. I hope he comes."
Hiashi regained his composure and stared at Boruto, preparing himself for what was about to happen. Hanabi did the same, staying alert.
Boruto concentrated all of his chakra into the three-pronged kunai and threw it into the sky. The moment he did so, it disappeared in a smokescreen.
Hiashi and Hanabi, with their Byakugan activated, watched attentively what was about to happen.
The kunai began to descend, and just before it hit the ground, a hand caught it in mid-air, clearing the smokescreen left by the clone. The figure that appeared had its eyes closed, but it began to slowly open them, revealing emotionless blue eyes, as if they were dead. The only visible part of its face was its eyes, which shone under the shadow of the tree.
Hiashi and Hanabi knew that the person who had appeared was not ordinary. With a firm movement, the figure waved the kunai to the right side, creating a gust of wind, and then stored it in the ninja pouch at his waist. Slowly, he began to walk towards the light, stepping out from the shadow of the tree.
"It's been a while since I last saw you, old man. How have you aged?" the figure said, with a laugh that was anything but warm, and added, "Hello, Auntie, how have you been?"
Hanabi thought that this must be the real Boruto. His appearance was very different from the other Boruto; only his face was similar. His movements, clothes, and eyes were different. He wore a longer jacket, black leather gloves, and taller ninja sandals. The lines on his sweatshirt were red, and there was a coldness and evilness in his eyes that Hiashi recognized from the memories he had of his grandson.
Hiashi, without looking away, spoke with an emotional tone:
—It seems you haven't changed at all, Boruto, my dear grandson.
_ Boruto fell silent, a carefree smile on his face as he crossed his arms. The moon shone brightly down upon them, bathing the Hyūga courtyard in its silver light.
"I told you before, don't indulge me. Leave it to my sister," Boruto said, with an indifferent tone but a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Hanabi looked at him in disbelief and surprise, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Are you the real Boruto?" he finally asked, hoping for some explanation that would make sense of what he was seeing.
"That's right," Boruto replied, not taking his eyes off the sky. "The one that disappeared was just a clone, but I always give it enough chakra to last about three days. I got all the memories and experiences it had before it vanished."
"Why are you doing this?" Hanabi asked, her voice heavy with seriousness.
"Do what?" Boruto replied, pretending not to understand.
"This, hiding and sending your clones everywhere, fooling us all," Hanabi replied, raising her voice slightly, frustrated by Boruto's coldness.
Boruto let out a light laugh, as if he found the question funny.
— Aaah , that… —he said, looking at Hanabi with eyes full of amusement—. I see that you want answers. Okay, I will answer everything you want to know. The first answer is simple: I am bored.
"Boredom?" Hanabi repeated, annoyed by Boruto's apparent lack of seriousness.
—That's right. Just hanging around talking to others takes up my time and bores me. It's better to send a clone so everyone feels happier. Don't you think so, Aunt? —Boruto said, laughing in a mocking tone.
Hanabi clenched her fists, trying to contain her anger. She was about to lunge at him, but Hiashi stopped her, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be provoked, Hanabi," Hiashi said calmly. "This is what he wants. He is here, after all. I'm sure he came for another reason."
Boruto raised an eyebrow, amused by the situation.
"What did you come for, Boruto?" Hiashi asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
— Mmm , what are you talking about? I came because you called me. I saw my clone's memories and knew you had questions. I just came to answer them. Isn't that enough?
Hiashi narrowed his eyes, evaluating his grandson's words.
—Then I'll change my question. Why would you answer our questions? —he asked, his voice firmer.
Boruto shrugged, keeping the smile on his face.
—I don't know... Maybe because I want to see why they would do it —he said with amusement, enjoying the awkwardness in the air.
Hiashi sighed, but didn't let his frustration show too much.
—Okay, then answer the question Hanabi asked.
Boruto raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
—So tell me your reason, old man. Even though I already know it more or less, I want to hear it from you.
Hiashi took a deep breath before speaking.
—I want to know why you became this way, how long have you been in this state, and what reason brought you to this point. Where will what you seek take you, to the point that you forgot your family. That is my reason for calling you to this place. Besides, I don't want one of my grandchildren to be suffering because of a path that he sees blindly.
Boruto listened to him silently, his smile slowly disappearing.
— Hmm , as I expected… that was the reason —he murmured, his tone turning colder—. Konoha is always so sentimental… Don't think you're so smart, old man. I know you're hiding something else, but I won't give you the answer you're looking for.
Hiashi and Hanabi exchanged glances, both feeling the weight of Boruto's words.
"About my aunt's first question, it's simple and a bit complicated," Boruto continued, his voice getting harsher. "It's boredom, for example, everyone at the academy is weak. There's no point in associating with them, they'll only slow me down. It's preferable for my clone to do that part. Besides, I don't need partners who get in the way in battle. Just associating with people tires me out… they're stupid and brainless. The decisions they make day to day are exhausting, so I thought of a plan where no one gets hurt: the clone."
Hanabi clenched her fists tighter, feeling a mix of anger and sadness at what she heard.
—But I knew that pretending wouldn't be enough. At some point they would notice and point fingers at me, force me to explain myself, to tell my past. They would encourage me, give me their condolences... and that stupid 'will of fire' —he spat out those last words with contempt—. That doesn't work with me.
Hiashi watched Boruto carefully, trying to understand his grandson's mind.
"About the other part," Boruto continued, "it's a shinobi's art of deception. I created the clone as an experiment. I had to level up my skills to the same level as this generation's, but I never thought they'd be this weak. Being the first in the class, only my clone…" Boruto let out a mocking laugh. "Isn't that funny, with the clone being able to use only 30 percent of my power. I also made him dumber to level up with this generation's brats, but it seems it was useless. Even so, he's smarter than them… I don't know what to say, he's pretty stupid."
In Hanabi's mind, only one thing resonated: "Only 30 percent?" She felt a chill as she thought about how strong Boruto really was.
Hiashi, for his part, assessed his grandson's words with a mix of surprise and concern. He thought Boruto was limited to 70 or 80 percent of his power, but just 30 percent already put him at the level of a mid-high Jōnin . Boruto's tone, his way of speaking, was like a continuous mockery, as if he enjoyed humiliating others. His intelligence was terrifying, comparable to that of the Nara, and perhaps in the future, to that of Itachi. The sense of danger emanating from Boruto was undeniable, almost tangible.
—Naruto… —Hiashi thought—. How could you let your son take this path?
Hanabi, on the other hand, was deep in her own thoughts. This Boruto was imposing, different, with no trace of affection in his words. Even when he spoke to them, he seemed like a stranger. "What's going on, Hinata-nee-san? Do you know about this?" was the question hammering in her mind.
Boruto watched them in silence, enjoying the impact his words caused.
"Well, aren't you going to say anything? Or are you going to just keep quiet all night?" he said with amusement, breaking the awkward silence.
Hiashi and Hanabi snapped out of their thoughts, looking at Boruto seriously.
—Boruto, why are you like this? What happened to you? —Hiashi asked, trying to remain calm.
Boruto looked at him indifferently, as if the question didn't matter to him at all.
"It's a promise I made…" he finally replied, his tone cold. "To become the strongest, no matter the cost. That's all."
Hiashi and Hanabi looked at him, both aware that the answers they sought would not be easy to obtain. The Boruto they knew seemed to have vanished, leaving in his place someone completely different, someone they could barely recognize.
"Well, it seems that this is the end of the night. I hope we meet again, my dear grandfather and Hanabi-nee-san," Boruto said, with a lopsided smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Before Boruto could disappear, Hiashi interrupted him, "Before you go, I want to know... is everything you said true?"
Boruto stared at him, "Of course it's true."
Hiashi sighed deeply, his eyes reflecting a mix of sadness and worry, "So, another question. Did you take revenge? Is that why you have no clear path to follow, and you feel lost, unable to move forward?"
Boruto kept his gaze serious, "I don't care what you say. Your words won't change anything. I only follow one wish: to be the strongest, and if that means destroying this village or the world, I will do it without hesitation. And about revenge... I wonder if I've truly gotten my revenge?"
Silence fell over the courtyard, heavy and oppressive. Boruto took a deep breath and added, "One more thing, you can send my sister home. She seems to have been eavesdropping, right, Himawari?"
The Hyūga, surprised, activated their Byakugan and located Himawari hiding behind a wall. Hiashi frowned, "We were so focused on Boruto that we didn't even notice."
Boruto let out a bitter laugh, " Ahahaha , how funny. Looks like they only have that Byakugan for show."
Then, looking towards where Himawari was, Boruto said, "Himawari, come out."
The silence stretched on. Himawari did not move.
"You're not going out? Well, never mind. But listen carefully, I hope nothing changes between us. After all, I am your older brother and it is my duty to protect you, to a certain extent, and then let go of your hand so you can walk alone. But it's not time yet. I hope we make the most of the time we have left together. If you don't want to go out, that's fine. Take care, Himawari. I'll see you at home." With those words, Boruto turned around and in a flash of yellow, he disappeared.
Hiashi remained silent, staring at the spot where Boruto had been. The words echoed in his mind: Hiraishin no Jutsu … Minato Namikaze's technique. It seems your grandson has surpassed you, Minato. I wonder how he obtained all those techniques, and I know they weren't in Naruto's office .
Hanabi, stunned, looked in the direction where Himawari was hiding. She slowly walked towards her, up the wooden walkway, and stopped in front of the wall. In a soft voice, she asked, "Himawari, do you want to talk?"
The door slowly opened, revealing Himawari, who was crying silently. Without a word, she threw herself into Hanabi's arms, hugging her tightly. Hanabi leaned down, hugging her back with the same intensity, feeling her niece's sadness as if it were her own. Tears began to slide down her face as she whispered comforting words to her.
Hiashi, seeing the scene, walked over to them. He placed one hand on Himawari's head and the other on Hanabi's shoulder, deeply understanding the pain they shared. After a moment, he gave them one last squeeze and retreated to his room, leaving them to their moment of mutual comfort.
Himawari and Hanabi stood there, holding each other, as the silence of the night enveloped them. After a while, Himawari broke the silence, her voice shaking, "Auntie... why is Boruto-niichan like this now? I don't understand. He was always with me before... but now... now I feel like he's so far away."
Hanabi gently stroked Himawari's hair, trying to find the right words, "Boruto has changed, and what's happened to him is something very difficult to understand, even for me. But what matters is that, deep down, he's still your brother. Maybe he's struggling with something very big, something he can't share with us yet."
"Do you think he still loves us?" Himawari asked, her eyes filled with tears.
Hanabi smiled sadly, "Yes, Himawari. I know. He still loves us. He's just trapped in his own pain and darkness now. But we have to stay strong, for him and for ourselves. Someday, he'll find his way back."
Himawari nodded slowly, clinging to the comfort her aunt offered her. The two of them stood there, talking quietly about Boruto, remembering moments of the past, and searching for hope in an uncertain future.
In a distant location, Boruto appeared in a flash of golden light, materializing inside an abandoned factory that served as his secret lair. Without hesitation, he made his way to the makeshift throne in the center of the vast, dark space, sitting down with an air of exhaustion and determination.
Moonlight filtered through the old, broken windows, casting ghostly shadows across the dusty ground. The factory was littered with swords, three-pronged kunai, and seals scattered across the walls, creating an atmosphere fraught with tension. On one wall, a word stood out in large, ominous letters: "Death."
Boruto's blue eyes shone with an unusual intensity as he took in the surroundings with an inscrutable expression. Suddenly, his right eye changed, transforming into a Dōjutsu with a black sclera and a bright blue-white iris and pupil. The contrast between the darkness surrounding him and the glow of his eye was striking, reflecting the internal conflict raging within him.
The silence in the factory was absolute, broken only by the soft whisper of the wind that blew through the cracks in the walls. Boruto, sitting on his throne, exuded an aura of loneliness and power, like a king in a forgotten kingdom.
Boruto, sitting on his throne, with his Dōjutsu in all its splendor, spoke to himself in a whisper:
"It seems things have started to move... it was about time I showed a little of myself. Also, it seems I'll need subordinates who are capable of performing tasks outside the village. I'll wait a little longer. The day after tomorrow classes and work experience start again. There's also the case of Ghost; he might show up. Mitsuki knows some information... I'll have to get more involved with him or my clone will."
He paused, thinking as his eye glowed with an eerie intensity.
"Everything is going as planned, although I was surprised that Himawari listened to me. I was just thinking of using the old man and my aunt to slowly show me who I really am, and to show my strength so I could leave the village and be assigned more difficult missions. There is nothing left for me in this village. But it seems that the plans were brought forward; I was planning to do it in the Chūnin Exams , but I will have to act before. Well, it doesn't matter, I just have to be patient."
Boruto stood up from the throne and looked around, observing the seals he had placed on the walls to maintain the proper temperature in that cold, gloomy place.
"It's time to sleep. I'll spend the night here. Not that it matters. After all, this place is full of seals to keep the heat in. I'll show up at home tomorrow; I know they won't say anything."
The next day, Boruto returned home as if nothing had happened. As he entered, his mother, Hinata, greeted him with a calm smile, but her eyes reflected a silent concern.
"Boruto, how was yesterday?" Hinata asked softly, trying to hide her uneasiness.
Boruto looked at her and smiled carefreely. "It's okay, Mom. I was just with my grandfather and aunt."
Hinata looked at her son with a mixture of sadness and understanding. She knew that Boruto was changing, that there was something in him that she couldn't reach. But, as a mother, she decided not to push him.
"I'm glad you're okay," Hinata replied, reaching out to gently caress his face. "You know you can count on me for whatever you need, right?"
Boruto nodded, avoiding eye contact. "Yeah, I know. Thanks, Mom."
Hinata forced a smile and hugged him, feeling the distance between them, but also the deep connection they still shared. Boruto, though distant, allowed the hug, silently acknowledging his mother's unconditional love.
"I'm going to get some rest," Boruto said, gently pulling away from the hug. "I'm a little tired."
"Rest easy, Boruto," Hinata said tenderly. "Remember that I'll always be here for you."
Boruto went up to his room, closing the door behind him. As he dropped onto his bed, his thoughts swirled in his mind, aware that the path he had chosen was taking him further and further away from his family. But, for now, he decided to put those thoughts aside, closing his eyes as he prepared to face what was coming.